Oprah, Please Do Your Homework on Extended Breastfeeding!
October 8, 2008 by Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor
Filed under breastfeeding
Oprah is looking for breastfeeding mothers to appear on a future show:
Are You Too Old to Breast-feed?
Are you currently breast-feeding your son or daughter? How old is he or she? Do you wonder what age is appropriate to wean your child? Do you think your family and/or friends feel uncomfortable around you or discussing the topic of breast-feeding?
What is your position on when to wean your child? We want to hear your thoughts.
Please only write-in if you are willing to appear on television.
“Are you too old to breastfeed?” Why no, I don’t think I’m too old to breastfeed — I’m only 37! Just teasing, Oprah. I know what you mean. I am a little nervous though. It seems the topic of extended breastfeeding was not handled well by Tyra Banks on her show. I am trusting you to do your homework before airing a show on the topic of extended breastfeeding. Here are some resources for you:
~ How Long Should I Nurse My Baby? and A Natural Age of Weaning by Katherine Dettwyler, Ph.D.
~ Extended Breastfeeding (Beyond One Year), links compiled by La Leche League International
~ Nursing after the First Year, a collection of articles at Kellymom.com
~ my own thoughts on extended breastfeeding and weaning
I was SO disappointed in Tyra Banks when she discussed extended breastfeeding. The look of revulsion on her face was so unprofessional.
I really do hope that Oprah handles herself and the subject in a more professional manner and doesn’t feel the need to ridicule her guests for their beliefs.
I really hope that Oprah will present a balanced view that ultimately reflects the fact that there are benefits to extended nursing and that it is a very personal decision as to when it should end. Whether a mom chooses child-led weaning or chooses a gentle form of mother-led weaning is ultimately the mother’s choice and noone else has the right to butt in on that choice.
I had precisely the same reaction as you, Angela. The way the question alone is posed is cause for concern to me that the goal is sensationalism.